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“I am a Scot, after all. Is it not expected?”
James looked at me briefly. “You sound nothing but relatable to my ears, Mr. Lennox.”
I crossed to the fireplace and pulled the bell rope to summon the housekeeper. I would have shown them to their room myself, but I wouldn’t know which one it was.
“I cannot wait to look in the gardens,” Jane said.
James cleared his throat. “Are you hungry? Perhaps after you’ve had the opportunity to settle in your room, we can meet in the parlor for refreshment. I would be happy to show Mr. Lennox the pond afterwards.”
“That sounds lovely,” Jane said.
Mrs. Prescott appeared in the doorway a moment later.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lennox have arrived,” I said. “Is their room prepared?”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ve had it ready a few days yet.”
Jane looked at me with impressed eyes. “You are quite the hostess, Lissy.”
Her usage of my family’s pet name squeezed my chest in a bittersweet way. I missed my parents all the more, but I was glad to have Jane. “I did not know when or if to expect you, so I had a room prepared in case you were able to come.”
“If you’d like to come with me,” Mrs. Prescott said, and Jane and Ewan followed her from the room.
When their footsteps receded, I turned to James. Things were tenuous between us, like a thin string ran from his heart to mine, taut and breakable. “Is it wise to go away for the afternoon when there is much to do to prepare for the ball?”
He smiled kindly. “Mother has things well in hand. She never requires my assistance for these things until the event begins. I do promise to be standing there in my best clothes at the appointed hour tomorrow.”
“If you are certain.”
“I’ve lived in this house a long while. There is nothing she wants from me today, I assure you.” He stepped closer but kept his hands behind his back. “I assume there is nothing for you to see to, either. You might be mistress of Chelton, but Mother is hosting the ball in your honor. She would wish for you to spend time with your cousin today.”
That sounded more like an excuse for Lady Edith’s desire to be rid of my presence. “How will I learn what needs doing unless she teaches me? I will be wholly unprepared for the day I need to host a gathering.”
“Surely Mother will help you then.” He smiled as he spoke, but the words did a weird spin in my head, refusing to settle.
Until they dropped one by one into place with alarming clarity. Of course she would help me when the time came, because she would always be here.
“What is it?” James asked softly, coming to my side. He looked between my eyes, his brow puckering.
“Lady Edith is incapable of leaving Chelton. She will live here with us always.”
“I assume so. Travel is difficult for her, as you know.” He paused, the air between us growing thicker. “Will that be a problem?”
“Only if your mother continues to hate me.”
He reared back as though he’d been slapped. “You should not speak so.”
It was a comfort at least to know Lady Edith had not gone so far as to share her ill opinions of me with James. Or perhaps she was allowing me that privilege, which would only make me appear unsavory.
“It is the truth,” I finally said.
“It cannot be. My mother does not hate a living soul. She even cares for Mrs. Whitstone still, and they fell out terribly.”
“I’ve heard it from her lips, James,” I said, my voice tired. Though hate might have been too strong a word, the sentiments were close. “She believes I trapped you into marriage, that I had an eye on your fortune and this grand estate.” I scoffed lightly. “As though I would want to be placed in charge of such a grand house.”
His face tightened, and he rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Did she say these things the other night when you brought me the eye patch?” His ready acceptance did not make me feel any better.
“Yes. I defended myself, but it was all for naught. It appears her opinion is unchangeable.”
